Named after the comic book that appeared in the original Watchmen graphic novel as a story-within-a-story, this animated companion piece to director Zack Snyder's feature film version of Watchmen finds an inner-city youth reading a… MoreNamed after the comic book that appeared in the original Watchmen graphic novel as a story-within-a-story, this animated companion piece to director Zack Snyder's feature film version of Watchmen finds an inner-city youth reading a story entitled "Marooned" from the eponymous comic book. In "Marooned," a young mariner cast adrift at sea attempts to return to his hometown in order to warn the locals of the approaching Black Freighter. In order to accomplish this formidable task, the desperate seaman must shed his inhibitions, using the bodies of his dead shipmates as a raft, and killing anyone unfortunate enough to get in his way. Arriving back in town under the assumption that the crew of the Black Freighter has already taken over, the mariner mistakenly attacks his own wife in the darkness of the couple's home. Realizing his tragic mistake, he ventures back to the shore to see the Black Freighter approaching, and swims out toward the ship to confront the crew.

It's hard to rate this animated horror story on its own, since it has to be seen as part of the whole Watchmen film, where a kid is reading it as a comic… MoreIt's hard to rate this animated horror story on its own, since it has to be seen as part of the whole Watchmen film, where a kid is reading it as a comic and where it adds a certain depth, as pointless as it seems as first. The animation may look dated and basic at times, but the story and monologues (spoken by Gerard Butler) are wonderfully creepy and the solution to the story accordingly unsettling.

Aaron Neuwirth

The Mariner: Exhausted, I slept atop the grave, dreams ringing with the horribly familiar screams of children. I saw the black freighter bearing down on all I… MoreThe Mariner: Exhausted, I slept atop the grave, dreams ringing with the horribly familiar screams of children. I saw the black freighter bearing down on all I loved...
A neat little bonus for fans of the book Watchmen.
The main story presented here is a story from Tales of the Black Freighter. In the book - Watchmen, a subplot involves a frequent look at a newsstand, where a young man reads from a comic book. Now in the world of Watchmen, where superheroes exist, superhero comic books wouldn't be of much interest, so Pirate comics are very popular, and this is one example.
Some of the plot, themes, and some character references are reflected in this story within a story.
The Mariner: A Buccaneer's whore deserved no pity.
This tale's story involves a marooned sailor who fears that a dreaded pirate ship is headed for his hometown, threatening the lives of many, including his wife and daughters. The sailor, voiced by Gerard Butler, goes through drastic measures in order to make a raft capable of taking him back home. The thoughts of what he is trying to do combined with the distress of dealing his means of travel take an unexpected toll on him however.
Its a neat little animated bonus, which will apparently be incorporated back into the deluxe edition of the Watchmen DVD director's cut.
Another feature on this disc is a forty minute faux interview with the generation of superheroes that existed before Watchmen. Its another neat extra that opens up a little more of what is in the book but couldn't quite be squeezed into the film. It opens up the universe a bit more to a movie viewing audience.
The Mariner: Gradually, I understood what innocent intent had brought me to, and, understanding, waded out beyond my depth. The unspeakable truth loomed unavoidably before me...

Andrew Fillmore

Since this disc actually contains two films, I will review them separately.
<i>Tales of the Black Freighter</i> - I enjoyed this animated tale… MoreSince this disc actually contains two films, I will review them separately.
<i>Tales of the Black Freighter</i> - I enjoyed this animated tale direct from the <i>Watchmen</i> comic, but the animation felt really sloppy and it was obviously rushed into production. But I still enjoyed revisiting the tale.
<i>Under the Hood</i> - This film is definitely for fans only. It will be really boring to those not familiar with the comic. And I kind of wish they would have focused more on the secondary vigilantes (Hooded Justice, Captain Metropolis, Dollar Bill, Silhouette, etc.). But nonetheless, I still enjoyed seeing this brought to life.
All in all, this two-part disc is entertaining, but is strictly for fans only.

Conner Rainwater

I'm really glad that Tales from the Black Freighter was put into a medium that made me enjoy it. While it was my least favorite part of the comic, this is… MoreI'm really glad that Tales from the Black Freighter was put into a medium that made me enjoy it. While it was my least favorite part of the comic, this is really a great cautionary tale/horror story. The animation is beautiful looking and matches the style perfectly. Gerard Butler's outrageous Scottish accent is perfect for something like an animated movie about a deranged Scottish sailor; who'd of thought? I also thought the retro "Under the Hood" tv special was really well done, especially for a glorified special feature. It really helps you get that sense of a believable world.

Ken Stachnik

Well done, but not amazing.

Michael Gildea

Essential viewing for Watchmen fans, Tales of the Black Freighter and Under the Hood are essential viewing even they're not necessary to the story. Black… MoreEssential viewing for Watchmen fans, Tales of the Black Freighter and Under the Hood are essential viewing even they're not necessary to the story. Black Freighter is just gruesome and so well-executed to the point where it makes those handful of panels from the comic pretty much forgettable. Also it makes a great standalone story in a Twilight Zone kind of way. Under the Hood is a great "dated" mockumentary that reeks of self-important interviews. It's so brilliantly done that you get embarrassed in that nostalgic kind of way watching it. A nice companion or side piece but that's about it.

Ivan Descartin

(This is a review of "Tales of the Black Freighter" only)
"Tales of the Black Freighter" is a wonderful adaptation of the pirate story of… More(This is a review of "Tales of the Black Freighter" only)
"Tales of the Black Freighter" is a wonderful adaptation of the pirate story of the same title embedded within the already complex narrative of "Watchmen" and is also a great reminder of how powerful this parallel story really is wherever you may look at it and whatever medium one may use to tell it. The hellish tale, about the captain/lone survivor of a destroyed sea vessel and his nightmarish odyssey to return back home, can be merely seen as a side story that may or may not add to the overall effect of "Watchmen's" story. But thanks to Zack Snyder's utter dedication of giving just cinematic life to the "Watchmen" universe through his great attention to detail (which resulted in this animated feature and the "Under the Hood" short),"The Tales of the Black Freighter's" sustaining power as a stand-alone narrative that seemingly evokes Joseph Conrad's like-minded take on madness and futility (see "Heart of Darkness") was shown in all its power and doomed glory.
Inserting the DVD into my player to view it in a very 'watch it just for the sake of completion and a hint of curiosity' kind of way, I was immensely surprised as to how well "The Tales of the Black Freighter's" story has flowed while also retaining Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's surreal combination of doomed yet poetic narrative and otherworldly illustrations.
On the other hand, some technical deficiencies include the slight out of synch between the dubbing and how the characters on-screen open their mouths and maybe some subtlety missing in Gerard Butler's voice performance (just a little bit). But all in all, those meager cons are still overshadowed by the immense vision that was contained and perfectly captured within this fine animation short.
At the end of the day, I'm still quite critical about Zack Snyder and company's choice of changing the plot twist in the film adaptation of "Watchmen", which, in my opinion, pales in comparison to the one that was shockingly revealed in the source graphic novel. But still, though I must say that Alan Moore has a completely valid and understandable point on preferring complete high-brow apathy towards Snyder's "Watchmen" or any other cinematic adaptations of his works for that matter, I think he needs to check out "The Tales of the Black Freighter" for the simple artistic reason that it did channel his hypnotic and nightmarish vision of tragedy, despair and, ultimately, fatalistic madness, with great conviction and considerable justice.

Morgan Griffith-David

It wasn't bad. I enjoyed each of the separate parts but it just left me feeling somewhat...unsatisfied. The film and original graphic novel were of such… MoreIt wasn't bad. I enjoyed each of the separate parts but it just left me feeling somewhat...unsatisfied. The film and original graphic novel were of such high-quality, this often felt weaker by comparison. However, it is essential if you want to fully get the experience - the Tales of the Black Freighter were well done, and the Under the Hood was very funny at times.

Lorenzo von Matterhorn

A mariner survives an attack from the dreaded pirates of the Black Freighter, but his struggle to return home to warn it has a horrific cost.… MoreA mariner survives an attack from the dreaded pirates of the Black Freighter, but his struggle to return home to warn it has a horrific cost.
<center><font size=+2 face="Verdana"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center>
This was a very cool, well done little piece of psychological horror. In the vein of Hitchcock or The Twilight Zone with copious amounts of blood and gore, and with pirates. There is a very nice sense of tension throughout the story and there are more than a few shocking moments. Even though animated, I still found myself unintentionally cringing at some points. The animation is done well, I'm glad its not done in anime style. It reminded me a little of Ralph Bakshi which was nice and the twist or climax at the end left me satisfied. I will definitely be recommending this to everyone I know. Especially the ones who enjoyed Watchmen.

Luke Baldock

Tales of the Black Freighter and Under the Hood are two very different companion pieces to the incredible film Watchmen. Tales of the Black Freighter is a… MoreTales of the Black Freighter and Under the Hood are two very different companion pieces to the incredible film Watchmen. Tales of the Black Freighter is a brilliantly animated story. It's about a pirate whom does terrible acts in order to defend those he loves from a threat, he believes, is coming to harm them. Though it has nothing to do with the story of Watchmen, it's themes share a kinship and it works as a parallel to a certain characters ideals and plot. Butler gives some great vocal work.
Under the Hood is a mockumentary detailing the past of Hollis Mason and crime fighters in general. It gives you further back-story to the earlier heroes not touched upon in the film. Gugino, McHattie and some other supporting players so their faces and make this a believable extension of the universe.
These are not stand alone films. They should be watched just before or after the film itself. I can't wait to enjoy all of Watchmen on DVD together.

Chad Roesti

Gerard Butler does a great job with the voice acting but this short cartoon story is weird, weird, weird! Its like a film adaptation of the old horror comics I… MoreGerard Butler does a great job with the voice acting but this short cartoon story is weird, weird, weird! Its like a film adaptation of the old horror comics I used to read when I was 10. Kind of like the old Heavy Metal cartoon animation. It's nothing special and you don't need to see it unless you are a HUGE nerd....er Watchman fan. What does that say about me? hell, I just like cartoons, and I am big for a kid my age.